God's Victory

Last Sunday the church I am serving was packed with worshippers! Two of three services were filled to the walls with people gathered to worship God and give God thanks for the resurrection of Jesus.

On that awesome Sunday and for the next 50 days the church celebrates the resurrection.  In a sermon series for the next five Sundays my colleague, Pastor Chiles, and I will explore the theme "Taking It With You."  How do we live the resurrection? How do we apply it to our every day lives?

In our age that commonly talks about reincarnation and the here and now, the resurrection takes us to the present and future that God has for us in Jesus Christ.  It is a radical message for our world.  It is radical call to live in the light of the resurrection.

He is Risen!

-Pastor Durk

Book Reflection: Where will the current take you next?

Last week I finished reading a novel by Nathan Jorgensen entitled "Mulligan."  In the story a Rochester, MN, dentist named Joe Mix reaches a point in his life when he discovers he really doesn't enjoy his dental practice and starts to seek a change in his life.  At about the same time his marriage ends and one day he gets in his old truck and leaves town.  

He drives for several days- days filled with pain, reflection, and hope for his future. He spends a few months working on a ranch in Montana and then ends up working as a fishing guide on a beautiful river in Montana.   While working there he falls in love with a woman who works for the same outfitter.  He also makes a few new friends and truly starts to enjoy himself.   The novel ends with an opened ended question, "He wondered where the current would take him next."

This novel is a story of self-discovery and adventure in life.  As Joe Mix starts to discover himself I found my self reflecting on how God is the One who discovers us in Jesus Christ.  The Lord our God who created us is the one who saw our sin and brokenness and discovered us- no, found us-  and has saved us in the waters of Holy Baptism.

Where do think the current of the waters of baptism will take you next?

Peace,

Pr. Durk